What PPE Do Wildland Firefighters Wear?

Wildland firefighters wear personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to help reduce exposure to heat, flames, falling objects, debris, and other hazards encountered on the fireline. Typical wildland firefighter PPE includes flame-resistant clothing, a helmet, gloves, protective footwear, eye protection and, depending on the assignment and agency requirements, equipment such as hearing protection, a face and neck shroud, chainsaw chaps and a fire shelter.

Unlike structural firefighting gear, wildland PPE also needs to support mobility and extended work in hot, physically demanding outdoor conditions. Understanding each piece of equipment and the standards that apply to it can help firefighters and departments choose appropriate gear for their assignments.

What Is Considered Wildland Firefighter PPE?

Personal protective equipment is equipment and clothing used to reduce the risk of injury or exposure to workplace hazards. For wildland firefighters, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) identifies PPE as including items such as fire-resistant clothing, hard hats or helmets, shrouds, goggles, gloves, hearing protection, chainsaw chaps and fire shelters.

The exact equipment a firefighter needs can vary according to the job, agency requirements and hazards involved. Firefighters should always follow the PPE policies and requirements established by their agency or employer.

For firefighters and departments outfitting personnel, Wildland Warehouse offers wildland clothing packages that bring together several pieces of protective equipment.

What Clothing Do Wildland Firefighters Wear?

Protective shirts and pants are among the most recognizable pieces of wildland firefighting PPE. Wildland firefighters need clothing designed for the hazards of fireline work rather than ordinary workwear.

Flame-resistant wildland clothing can be made from materials such as Nomex® and Tecasafe® Plus. The goal is to provide appropriate flame and heat resistance while still allowing firefighters to move and work during physically demanding assignments.

Fit matters, too. Protective clothing should allow sufficient mobility without unnecessarily interfering with other equipment.

Wildland Warehouse carries options such as wildland firefighting shirts along with complete clothing packages for firefighters who need multiple pieces of PPE.

Why Do Wildland Firefighters Wear Helmets?

A wildland fire helmet helps protect the firefighter’s head from impacts and hazards such as falling or flying objects.

Proper fit and condition are essential. A helmet’s suspension system should fit securely, and the helmet should be inspected for damage throughout its service life. The NWCG recommends inspecting wildland firefighting helmets when they are issued, after significant events or obvious damage and periodically throughout the fire season.

Wildland Warehouse offers both cap-style and full-brim helmets within several of its wildland PPE packages.

What Eye Protection Do Wildland Firefighters Use?

Smoke, ash, dust, branches and airborne debris can create hazards for a firefighter’s eyes.

Protective goggles or other approved eye protection can help reduce those risks. The appropriate option depends on the working environment, compatibility with the firefighter’s helmet and applicable agency requirements.

Wildland Warehouse carries PPE packages that can include wildland goggles designed to work with firefighting helmets.

What Kind of Gloves Do Wildland Firefighters Wear?

Wildland firefighting exposes the hands to heat, rough surfaces, tools and vegetation, making gloves an important part of a firefighter’s PPE.

Wildland fire gloves should provide protection while maintaining enough dexterity to safely perform required tasks. Fit is especially important because firefighters may wear gloves for extended periods.

For example, Wildland Warehouse offers Wildland Reverse Seam Gloves as part of select PPE packages. The reverse-seam design is intended to minimize chafing during extended wear.

Not every work glove is certified to the same standard, so firefighters and departments should check individual product specifications instead of assuming that any leather work glove meets their PPE requirements.

Do Wildland Firefighters Need Face and Neck Protection?

Face and neck shrouds can provide additional protection from radiant heat and embers when required for an assignment.

Wildland Warehouse offers options such as the NFPA Tecasafe Shroud, which covers the face, ears and neck and attaches to compatible helmets.

As with other PPE, firefighters should select face and neck protection based on applicable standards and their agency’s requirements.

What Boots Do Wildland Firefighters Wear?

Footwear is another critical part of a firefighter’s protective equipment. Fireline footwear must be appropriate for the terrain, heat exposure and demanding conditions associated with wildland operations.

Requirements can vary between agencies and assignments, so firefighters should confirm the specifications they are expected to meet before purchasing boots.

Fit deserves particular attention. Firefighters may spend many hours hiking and working over uneven terrain, making properly fitted footwear important for both safety and practical performance.

Do Wildland Firefighters Carry Fire Shelters?

Fire shelters are considered PPE within the wildland fire service. NWCG states that the fire shelter is required PPE for federal wildland firefighters and must be carried on the fireline by personnel on federal wildfires.

A fire shelter is an emergency piece of equipment rather than a substitute for appropriate tactics, situational awareness or escape routes. Firefighters should be trained in the correct inspection, carrying and deployment procedures required by their agency.

The NWCG Standards for M-2002 Fire Shelters provide additional information about fire shelters used in wildland operations.

Do Sawyers Need Additional PPE?

Firefighters operating chainsaws may need additional protective equipment, including chainsaw chaps, eye protection and hearing protection.

Chainsaw chaps are designed for a very specific hazard and should be selected, inspected and maintained according to applicable requirements. A firefighter assigned to saw operations should not assume that standard wildland clothing alone provides the protection required for chainsaw use.

NWCG includes chainsaw chaps among the types of equipment that may fall under wildland firefighter PPE.

What Does NFPA Compliance Mean for Wildland PPE?

Standards and certifications can help firefighters and purchasing departments determine whether equipment meets defined performance requirements.

Historically, NFPA 1977 has addressed protective clothing and equipment for wildland firefighting and wildland-urban interface operations. Because standards and editions can change, buyers should pay close attention to the certification information listed for the specific product they are considering rather than relying only on general terminology.

For example, Wildland Warehouse carries several NFPA-compliant wildland clothing packages, with individual product pages identifying the standards and certifications applicable to the included equipment.

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s PPE resources are also useful for firefighters and departments researching equipment.

Why Is Proper PPE Fit Important?

PPE is only useful when firefighters can wear and use it correctly. Equipment that fits poorly can interfere with movement, create discomfort and make it more difficult to perform fireline tasks.

OSHA emphasizes that PPE should fit comfortably and be properly maintained. Firefighters should consider:

• Correct sizing
• Freedom of movement
• Compatibility between different pieces of PPE
• Condition of closures and adjustment systems
• Wear, damage or contamination
• Manufacturer care instructions
• Applicable agency requirements

Wildland Warehouse also carries women’s-specific options, including the True North Women’s Wildland PRO Package, with protective clothing designed around women’s fit.

For more information on workplace PPE selection and use, see OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment guidance.

Should You Buy Individual PPE or a Complete Wildland PPE Package?

Whether it makes more sense to purchase individual items or a package depends on what equipment you already have and the requirements you need to meet.

Individual PPE can make sense when replacing worn equipment or upgrading a specific item. A package can be useful when outfitting a new firefighter or purchasing several pieces at once.

Before purchasing a package, review every included component. Certifications can differ between individual products within a package, so buyers should verify that each required item meets their agency, employer or assignment specifications.

Wildland Warehouse offers multiple wildland firefighter PPE and clothing packages with different clothing, helmet, glove and accessory combinations.

Check Your Wildland PPE Before the Fireline

Wildland firefighter PPE is more than a uniform. Each component has a job to do, from helping protect the body against heat and flame to reducing exposure to impact, debris and task-specific hazards.

Before heading to the fireline, inspect your equipment, confirm that it fits properly and make sure it meets the requirements established by your agency or employer. Worn, damaged or inappropriate PPE should be addressed before it becomes a problem in the field.

Whether you need to replace an individual piece of equipment or outfit a firefighter with multiple essentials, explore wildland firefighting gear from Wildland Warehouse to find clothing, PPE and fireline equipment for demanding wildland operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What PPE is required for wildland firefighters?

Requirements vary by agency, assignment and hazards, but common wildland firefighter PPE includes flame-resistant protective clothing, a helmet, gloves, protective footwear and eye protection. Additional equipment can include hearing protection, face and neck shrouds, chainsaw chaps and a fire shelter.

What do wildland firefighters wear under their protective clothing?

Firefighters should follow their agency’s requirements for clothing worn beneath or with protective outerwear. Clothing choices should not introduce unnecessary heat or melting hazards, and the complete clothing system should be appropriate for fireline conditions.

Do wildland firefighters wear turnout gear?

Wildland firefighting typically uses specialized wildland protective clothing rather than the structural turnout gear associated with interior structural firefighting. Wildland PPE is designed around the hazards, mobility requirements and environmental conditions of wildland operations.

Are wildland firefighter gloves required to be NFPA compliant?

Glove requirements depend on the agency and assignment. Buyers should check their applicable requirements and the certification information for the specific gloves being considered rather than assuming all leather or work gloves meet the same standard.

How often should wildland firefighter PPE be inspected?

PPE should be inspected according to applicable agency requirements and manufacturer instructions. Equipment should also be checked when issued, throughout its use and following incidents or conditions that may have caused damage. Damaged or unserviceable equipment should be removed from use as required.